Local News Archives

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to have to decide what to do about Silver Beach County Park as high water levels in Lake Michigan eat away at the shoreline. During a meeting this past

The Michigan Women’s Commission is moving from the Department of Civil Rights to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The move was announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday as she says she aims to enhance

Home sales in southwest Michigan during July were up, and so were the selling prices. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says pent-up demand was unleashed as the number of homes sold went up by 51% from

State education leaders are expressing concern about their ability to meet the needs of students when it comes to meal distributions this fall. State Superintendent Michael Rice says the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not planning to

South Haven Area Emergency Services says a man is hospitalized after being pulled from Lake Michigan on Saturday. SHAES has released the following: South Haven Area Emergency Services responded to an incident off the South Beach on

SHAES responded to an alarm at the Urban Studio Salon and Spa, 410 Phoenix Street in the central business district, at 8:57 a.m. Saturday. An employee coming to work smelled smoke upon entering the building. SHAES responders

Southwestern Michigan College expects to find out in October if it can bring back its cross-country program. The college announced this summer it’s decided to resurrect the Roadrunners, which were disbanded about 25 years ago. College officials

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared August Immunization Awareness Month as the state urges everyone to make sure they are getting all of their recommended vaccines, and also that their children get all of their vaccines. Speaking this

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is celebrating those who help shape the community in a new way this month due to COVID-19. The organization’s usual celebration, which was set for March, had to be canceled this

The goal was to raise $75,000 to get a match of the same amount from an anonymous donor, but the Berrien Community Foundation says its Arts Challenge has ended with more than $141,000 raised for ten local

The Michigan Farm Bureau continues to rail against a state rule requiring farm workers to be tested for COVID-19. In a new video, the organization features some Van Buren County workers against the mandate. Manuel Morales, a

It’s a game changer. That’s what Flint Bishop Airport director Nino Sappone says about a new Smart Helmet they will use at the airport for its police, since it can take people’s temperatures from more than 20

Michigan has now passed 100,000 COVID-19 cases. On Friday, the state Department of Health and Human Services said there are 741 new cases, bringing the total since March to 100,699. Six new deaths were recorded for a

Michigan retailers saw another month of increased sales as stores remain open with certain restrictions — such as half capacity seating limits and face mask orders. Michigan Retailers Association spokesperson Meegan Holland says the July retailers index

Southwestern Michigan College moves to Phase 3 of its Campus Reopening Plan this weekend in preparation for the fall semester. Offices on both campuses in Dowagiac and Niles will be open to students, employees and the public

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court has postponed arguments over Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s use of emergency powers until September 9. The one-week delay is tied to an illness on Justice Richard Bernstein’s staff. Bernstein,

From the Associated Press — The mother of a 6-year-old boy who drowned in Lake Michigan has pleaded guilty to child neglect. Iain Rowe drowned at Holland State Park on June 6, a day of high waves

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared August Immunization Awareness Month and Pet Immunization Awareness Month. Her office has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued proclamations declaring August as Immunization Awareness Month and Pet Immunization Awareness Month. As flu season approaches, the

From the Associated Press — A federal judge in California has blocked a rule that Michigan and seven other states said would unlawfully allow too much pandemic relief aid to be diverted from K-12 public schools to

The Berrien County Health Department is feeling confident about the resumption of school next week. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the COVID-19 numbers for the area in recent weeks suggest “we are in a pretty good

Michigan students who are enrolled in college career and technical education programs this fall are now eligible to receive food assistance if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton

The Justice Department is asking for information from the Whitmer administration on state orders requiring nursing homes to admit COVID-19 positive patients. Attorney General Dana Nessel said she thinks it’s a politically motivated effort that is targeting

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to have to decide what to do about Silver Beach County Park as high water levels in Lake Michigan eat away at the shoreline. During a Thursday meeting, Commissioner

Congressman Fred Upton is now involved in the battle to get USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to extend waivers needed to help students continue to receive two meals a day. Upton sent him a letter today asking for

Youth Solutions/Jobs for Michigan Graduates has been given a $10,000 grant from Michigan College Access Network. MCAN is giving away 10 grants over 10 days as part of its 10th anniversary. The money is in support of

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after some pipe bombs were found in Pine Grove Township on Wednesday. It says deputies were called out to County Road 388 and 23 1/2 Street shortly before 4

Indiana Michigan Power is sending more than 200 employees and contractors down south to help with power restoration following Hurricane Laura. I&M says the crews left their respective service centers early Thursday and would be ready to

Michigan State Police are announcing guilty pleas in a case against former South Haven Finance Director Wendy Hochstedler and Daniel Beck, who is a member of her household. She was fired in November 2018 after city auditors

Home sales in southwest Michigan during July were up, and so were the selling prices. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says pent-up demand was unleashed as the number of homes sold went up by 51% from

The city of Niles is picking up debris kicked around by storms that hit the community this week. It says property owners should plan to have all their storm damaged vegetation at the side of the curb